Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008

Mural makeover
A group of artists from Island Gallery West, 5368 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, gathers to repair and repaint the 2001 mural outside the gallery. Pictured are Marlane Wurzbach, standing on the ladder, Barbara Orear is sitting on the ladder, and next, left to right, are Cecy Richardson, Shirley Dean, Susan Bonser and John Bonser. Islander Photo: Courtesy John Bonser

City ordered to show cause in Gee lawsuitby Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter

Anna Maria resident Laura Gee of South Bay Boulevard appears to have taken the first round in her legal action against the Anna Maria City Commission for approving multiple variances for her neighbor on South Bay Boulevard, Terry Olesen.

Considering the cost of advice from an attorney these days, Anna Maria city officials and Mayor Fran Barford should feel pleased that the Sarasota legal firm of Lobeck and Hanson is giving the city plenty of it - and for free.

Back in the mid-1990s, when the Florida Department of Transportation first proposed a fixed-span, high-rise bridge to replace Anna Maria Island drawbridges, the reputation of many DOT officials at the time stemmed from an attitude that could have been considered condescending at best, and antagonistic at worst.

The Holmes Beach Code Enforcement Board last week ruled thatthe owner of a triplex on Marina Way violated city regulations for failing to obtain permits for plumbing, electrical and window installations.

West Manatee Fire & Rescue District Commissioners approved the purchase of a new piece of equipment: a $71,000 “multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle for response and recovery missions,” according to the proposal.